Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312  doi:10.3997/1873-0604.

2018006

Site characterisation in Barreiro urban area (Portugal) using

H/V and ReMi techniques
Henrique Vicêncio1,2, Paula Teves-Costa3,* and Paulo Sá Caetano1, 4
1
GeoBioTec, Pólo UNL, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
2
National Authority for Civil Protection, 1750- 377 Lisboa, Portugal
3
Instituto Dom Luiz, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
4
Dept. Ciências da Terra, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa,
2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal

Received September 2017, revision accepted April 2018

ABSTRACT
Barreiro is an urban county located in the Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal) with several hazard-
ous industrial facilities. This area shows a moderate seismicity, but due to its geotectonic location,
it has been subject in the past to earthquakes responsible for high social and economic losses.
Earthquakes that occurred in 1531 (Mw ≈ 6.6), 1755 (M ≥ 8) and 1909 (Mw ≈ 6) are examples of
destructive events that hit Barreiro. In this study, we present an analysis of ambient vibration meas-
urements together with local geology and geotechnical properties of the shallower units. Horizontal-
to-vertical spectral ratio (H/V) computed from ambient vibrations, shear wave velocity profiles, and
VS30 value distributions were compared with the geological and geotechnical properties of the shal-
lower units, looking for potential site effects.
Geotechnical characterisation was based on the analysis of 289 logs and 1109 Standard
Penetration Tests. A total of 214 refraction microtremor measurements were performed, obtaining
VS profiles and VS30 values for 34 different sites. The results from ambient vibration records carried
out at 136 sites (Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá Caetano 2015) were also used. Spatial distributions
of VS profiles, VS30 values, the thickness of the shallow formations, the number of blows from
Standard Penetration Tests (NSPT values), and H/V peak frequencies are presented and discussed.
Correlations between these parameters were established. Three areas prone to seismic amplification,
for frequencies between 2.5  Hz to 8  Hz, were identified. Ground classification was performed
according to Eurocode 8 using the estimated values. The results will be made available to the
Barreiro municipality for support of land and emergency planning.

Key words: Site effects, Non-invasive methods, VS profiles.

INTRODUCTION
It is well known that shallow, soft, surface layers may modify the
characteristics of the seismic signal producing ground motion
amplification. In areas covered by such layers, the damage pro-
duced by earthquakes may be much larger than expected as
observed in several past earthquakes, such as Michoacán,
Mexico (1985), and Kobe, Japan (1995) (Mirzaoglu and Dýkmen
2003). This phenomenon is usually referred to as site effect, and
has been widely studied by many researchers (e.g., Chávez-
García and Bard 1994; Duval et al. 2001; Giammarinaro et al.
2005; Navarro and García-Jerez 2012).
During a number of past earthquakes (e.g., Northridge,
California 1994; Kobe, Japan 1995; Izmit, Turkey 1999; Colima,
*
ptcosta@fc.ul.pt
Mexico 2003), the buildings whose natural period was equal or
close to the natural period of the ground suffered larger damage
than the other buildings. The degree of proximity between these
two periods is responsible for a resonance phenomena (Navarro
et al. 2004) that can double the building vibration amplitude
(Keçeli and Cevher 2015), inducing more serious damage.
The knowledge of the S-wave velocity (VS) profiles, which
allows the study of the soil response to earthquakes, has been
used for seismic susceptibility analysis in urban areas (e.g.,
Borcherdt 1970; Boore 2004; Stephenson et al. 2015). Another
parameter used in this kind of analysis is the average velocity of
the S waves in the first 30-m depth (VS30). This parameter is also
used in Eurocode 8 (EC8) (IPQ 2010) and in seismic engineering
studies (e.g., Krammer 1996; Boore, Joyner and Fumal 1997;
Rosset, Bour-Belvaux and Chouinard 2015).

© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers 298

299 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano
There are several seismic methods that allow the estimation of
VS variation with depth (VS profiles). Cross-hole, down-hole, up-
hole, and PS-logging tests are invasive methods that require drill-
ing holes. They provide VS estimations with high accuracy at a site
but are costly, time consuming, and difficult to perform in urban-
ised areas. These constraints make their use difficult in investiga-
tions of local effects in large areas. Non-invasive methods, such as
multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) (Park, Miller and
Xia 1999), refraction microtremor (ReMi) (Louie 2001), and spa-
tial autocorrelation (SPAC) method (e.g., Aki 1957; Ohori, Nobata
and Wakamatsu 2002; Okada 2003; Wathelet, Jongmans and
Ohrnberger 2005), are performed on the surface using active or
passive (ambient vibration measurement) sources.
ReMi tests consist of acquiring ambient vibrations along a
line of geophones separated by a regular distance. This technique
allows for rapid testing of large areas in a non-invasive and non-
destructive way (e.g., Stephenson et al. 2005; Santisteban et al.
2012). Data analysis with the ReMi tests assumes that the propa-
gation of surface waves is isotropic and unidirectional (Strobbia
and Cassiani 2011). In places where the energy of the surface
waves does not propagate in an omnidirectional way along the
line of geophones, the results may overestimate the true values
of VS (Zywicki 2007; Rosenblad and Li 2009; Strobbia and
Cassiani 2011). Despite this possible overestimation, Rosenblad
and Li (2009) compared between VS30 values obtained by ReMi
and MASW techniques, and found a very close match. Stephenson
et al. (2005) reached similar VS30, VS50, and VS100 values (average
velocity of the S waves in the first 30-m, 50-m, and 100-m depth,
respectively) with ReMi and MASW techniques and using geo-
technical properties determined from boreholes.
The objective of this study is to characterise the seismic
behaviour of Barreiro’s shallow formations, using the ReMi and
H/V techniques, and checking for the potential site effects. To
achieve this goal, the following tasks were performed: (i) seismic
characterisation of the shallow units, in terms of VS profiles and
VS30 values, using the ReMi technique; (ii) comparison of these
results with the soil natural frequency obtained by the Nakamura
method (Nakamura 1989, 2008; Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá
Caetano 2015); (iii) discussion of the results using geotechnical
data compiled from borehole measurements; (iv) identification
of areas in Barreiro that are prone to site effects; and (v) estima-
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
Figure 1 (a) Schematic represen-
tation of the boundaries between
the North America, the Eurasia,
and the Africa plates, in the North
Atlantic Ocean and Portugal
Mainland location; (b) identifica-
tion of Barreiro county located in
the western central part of
Portugal and close to the Lisbon
area.
tion of building natural frequencies and checking for potential
resonance phenomena.
SEISMOTECTONIC AND GEOLOGICAL SETTING
Portugal mainland is located close to the boundary between the
Eurasian and African plates (Figure 1a). Due to this context, it
presents a deformation with NW–SE maximum compression
and a convergence rate of 4 ± 0.2 mm/year (DeMets, Gordon
and Argus 2010). This deformation has been responsible for the
generation of the largest interplate and intraplate earthquakes in
Europe (Custódio et al. 2015). Although the Lisbon region
exhibits a moderate seismicity, it has been subject to cata-
strophic earthquakes in the past, such as those occurred in 1531
(Mw ≈ 6.6), 1755 (M ≥ 8), 1858 (M ≈ 7), and 1909 (M ≈ 6), that
were responsible for high social and economic losses.
Barreiro is a county located in the Lisbon region (Figure 1b)
with an approximate area of 36 km2. Statistical data compiled in
2011 identified 73,242 residents and 8,772 buildings in this
county (INE 2011). The presence of several hazardous industrial
facilities (covered by the Seveso III directive) implies that seis-
mic risk assessment in this county should be carefully addressed.
In addition, the planned rehabilitation of some industrial areas,
converting them to residential use, should require the develop-
ment of detailed studies on site characterisation.
The geological setting of the study area is mainly characterised
by a sedimentary series of Cenozoic formations (Pais et al. 2006)
(Figure 2a). Pliocene and Pleistocene formations are formed by a
predominantly sandy sequence; the Holocene deposits, composed
by a sequence of sandy and clayey lenticular beds with lateral and
vertical facies variations, cover the shallow area of the Pliocene
formation. Heterogeneous anthropogenic deposits (landfills) are
also present. The Miocene–Pliocene boundary was identified by
deep drilling and is located between 150-m and 200-m depth.
METHODOLOGY
During 2013 and 2014, Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá Caetano
(2015) performed a large set of ambient vibrations measurements
in this same area (Figure 2b). They applied Nakamura’s methodol-
ogy (H/V curves) to estimate peak frequencies (F0, F1) and respec-
tive amplitudes (A0, A1) of the shallow formations. They also
presented the results of several geotechnical boreholes interpreta-

tion, with NSPT values for these shallow formations, estimating
the thickness of the different layers and the depth at which NSPT60
(NSPT = 60) was reached. In the current study, results from ReMi
tests (VS profiles and VS30 values) will be presented, and all the
data and estimated properties will be discussed together. Figure 2
shows the location of the geotechnical boreholes, as well as the
sites where field tests were performed.
Two types of ReMi records were performed: (i) active records
(using sledgehammer blows, distance between geophones 1.5  m
and shot offsets 6 m); (ii) passive records (distance between geo-
phones 3 m or 5 m). In both types, a linear array of twenty-four
4.5-Hz vertical geophones connected to a Seistronix RAS-24
seismograph was used. Record duration was 2  s for the active
experiments and 32 s for passive experiments, and the sampling
rates were 1 ms and 2 ms, respectively. At least three records were
obtained at each site both for active and passive experiments. The
geophones were placed on road sides in order to reduce the angle
between the array and the azimuth of the source (trying to avoid
VS overestimation). Passive tests allow reaching greater depths
than the active ones, and for this reason, the passive tests were
carried out whenever possible.
The recorded vibrations (also called ambient noise or ambient
vibrations) were dominated by Rayleigh waves. Separation
between Rayleigh and other types of recorded waves was done
by applying a slowness–frequency (p–f) transform to the records
(Thorson and Claerbout 1985; Pancha et al. 2008). Data process-
ing was performed using the ReMi method of Louie (2001). The
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
H/V and ReMi techniques 300
method produces a dispersion curve in the p–f domain, which is
then picked, and the resulting dispersion picks modelled to pro-
duce a shear-wave velocity versus depth profile (VS profile) and
the corresponding VS30. This method generates a model whose
dispersion response fits the imported dispersion curve picks
(Pullammanappallil and Louie 1994; Pei, Louie and
Pullammanappallil 2007). VS30 values could be also computed
using the following equation (1):
,(1)
where Hi and Vi correspond, respectively, to the thickness and the
shear-wave velocity of each layer. The sum is performed until the
depth reaches 30 m.
It is also possible to perform a manual inversion starting
from an initial model. In this study, the manual inversion was
applied, and the initial model was defined, taking into consid-
eration geological and geotechnical information and data from
boreholes: boundaries between shallow formations (Holocene)
and the substratum (Pliocene) and/or NSPT values. However,
for comparison, VS30 values were also computed by automatic
inversion.
ReMi tests were performed at 34 different sites (Figure 2c). In
each site, several records were performed, and consequently, sev-
eral VS profiles and VS30 values were obtained. For each site, an
averaged VS profile was computed, using 0.1-m intervals, as well as
Figure 2 Geological setting of
Barreiro (base map). (a) Borehole
locations (black dots); (b) loca-
tions of the sites where H/V
curves were obtained (black tri-
angles) (from Vicêncio, Teves-
Costa and Sá Caetano 2015);
(c) locations of ReMi tests (red
diamonds). The numbers indicate
the locations of the old industrial
park (1) and the River Station (2).
301 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano

Figure 3 VS profiles obtained

from ReMi tests: (a) S-wave
velocity inversion characteristic
of some landfills (Type A);
(b) current profile exhibiting
small S-wave velocity inversions
(Type B); (c) current profile with-
out S-wave velocity inversions.
Red dashed lines represent the
initial models. L - landfill; A -
alluvium; P - Pliocene.

a mean VS30 value. At some sites VS profiles showing velocity inver-
sions were identified, and the location of these sites has been
marked. To compare VS profiles and VS30 values with H/V and
geotechnical results, spatial distributions of those properties were
performed by interpolating the data with the use of the inverse-
distance algorithm and computing the respective values in a 200 m
× 200 m grid. Spatial distributions and numerical relations between
grids were analysed, using two different approaches: (i) flow from
high to low grid values with continuous lines, to perform direc-
tional analyses. For VS30, the directional analysis was inverted (flow
from low to high values) to compare its spatial distribution with the
thickness of shallow formations and NSPT60 spatial distributions;
(ii) scatter plots and correlation coefficients (R2).
The results obtained with ReMi and both geotechnical data/
interpretation and H/V curves were compared using six different
analyses:
(i) Spatial distributions of (i) Pliocene top estimated with VS
profiles and (ii) Pliocene top estimated with geotechnical
data (boreholes). Directional analyses and scatter plots
between grids were performed.
(ii) Three-dimensional models for the shear velocity, using all
VS profiles obtained with ReMi, and all NSPT boreholes
profiles, were estimated. From these models, VS and NSPT
values for three 2D horizontal sections were computed at
−10 m, 0 m, and +10 m levels. Directional analyses and scat-
ter plots between grids were performed.

© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312

(iii) The spatial distribution of VS30 was compared with the thick-
ness of shallow formations estimated from geotechnical
information and NSPT60 depth. Directional analyses and
scatter plots between grids were performed.
(iv) Numerical correlations between VS30, thickness of shallow
formations, and depth of NSPT60 values were computed.
(v) Spatial distribution of VS30 was compared with the thickness
of the shallow formations calculated from Holocene peak
frequencies (F0 and F1), identified in the H/V curves, using
an empirical relation in the form of equation (2) (Ibs-von
Seth and Wohlenberg 1999):
H = a F0b,(2)
where a and b are site-specific empirical constants.
(vi) Numerical correlations between VS30 and H/V frequencies
(F0, F1) and respective spectral amplitudes (A0, A1), related
to the Holocene–Pliocene boundary, were computed (the
relation between peak frequencies and Holocene–Pliocene
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
H/V and ReMi techniques 302
boundaries were studied by Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá
Caetano (2015). The closest H/V curves to the central points
of the ReMi tests were used. When several H/V curves were
at the same distance to the ReMi central point, the mean
values for peak frequencies and amplitudes were used.
Based on H/V peak frequencies (F0, F1) with corresponding spectral
amplitudes greater than 2, areas prone to seismic amplification were
identified. For further discussion, the natural frequencies of build-
ings with different heights were estimated using the relation derived
by Oliveira and Navarro (2010) (equation (3)), where T is the natu-
ral period of the building and N is the number of floors, as follows:
T = 0.045*N. (3)
RESULTS
From ReMi tests, 214 VS profiles were obtained at the 34 differ-
ent sites (Figure 2c). Each profile resulted from the inversion of
the dispersion curve obtained from each record (with passive or
active sources). Mean VS profiles were computed for each site, as
Figure 4 (a) Pliocene top surface
(elevations in m) computed from
ReMi VS profiles; (b) Pliocene
top surface derived from borehole
logs; (c) difference between the
two estimated surfaces; (d) flow
from high to low grid nodes of the
Pliocene top surface presented in
(a); (e) flow from high to low grid
nodes of the Pliocene top surface
presented in (b); (f) correlation
between the two Pliocene top
grids presented in (a) and (b).
303 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano
well as mean VS30 values. For most VS profiles, it was possible to
make the correspondence between VS values and geological units
(landfill, alluvium, and Pliocene) (Figure  3). This correspond-
ence was established using borehole logs located near the central
points of ReMi tests.
Some profiles showed velocity inversions in depth, probably
due to the variation of material rigidity that constitutes those
units (Figure 3(a,b)). Two types of inversions were distinguished:
one usually associated to landfills (Type A) and another associ-
ated with heterogeneities that may be present in Holocene and
Plio-Pleistocene units (Type B). Type A is characterised by VS
velocities of 400–500 m/s in the first few metre depths, followed
by lower velocities (Figure 3a). Type B exhibits smaller VS inver-
sions (Figure  3b) and can be present with larger or smaller
expression along all VS profiles. With only one exception, Type
A is restricted to the landfills in the old industrial park and the
Barreiro River Station (see Figure  2c for location), which are
strongly affected by anthropogenic activity. These landfills, with
mean velocities of 300  m/s, were called “landfills2”, to distin-
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
guish them from the “normal” landfills (with mean velocities of
170 m/s).
The minimum, mean, and maximum VS values calculated for
the shallow geological units were, respectively, 120–170–
225 m/s for landfills; 149–299–633 m/s for landfills2; 115–217–
335 m/s for alluvium; 215–465–1196 m/s for the Pliocene. The
maximum value for the Pliocene formation was obtained with
passive ReMi tests that reached more than 40-m depth.
Figure  4 shows the computed 2D spatial distribution of the
Pliocene top (substratum) obtained from the mean VS profiles
(Figure 4a) and from geotechnical data (boreholes) (Figure 4b).
A good spatial relation between the two distributions is observed:
the 0  m and +20  m top Pliocene contour lines show a similar
pattern, and the areas where the Pliocene top is deeper are also
similar. However, the topography of the Pliocene top computed
with ReMi results is less sharp than the surface computed with
borehole data: for example, the minimum ReMi elevations are
−14.3  m, whereas the minimum borehole elevations reach
−51 m. This is probably due to the fact that both tests (ReMi and
Figure 5 Spatial distributions of
(a) NSPT at +10 m; (b) NSPT at
0 m; (c) NSPT at −10 m; (d) VS
values at +10 m; (e) VS values at
0 m; (f) VS values at −10 m. The
main isolines are highlighted for
an easier interpretation.

boreholes) were not performed at the same sites and, as already
referred, the presence of irregularities in the substratum. When
the ReMi tests and boreholes were performed at the same sites,
a closer similarity between the surface elevations was observed
(Figure 4c). Flows from high to low grid values (Figures 4(d,e))
show very similar patterns, which confirm the likeness between
those two spatial distributions. Nevertheless, it is possible to
identify an eastern area where the two distributions are not simi-
lar, probably due to the absence of geotechnical data. A scatter
plot between those spatial distributions shows a linear correlation
with R2 of 0.7 (Figure 4f).
Figure 5 shows NSPT and VS spatial distributions for three
horizontal sections at different levels: +10 m, 0 m, and −10 m.
For 0-m and +10-m heights, the spatial distribution of NSPT10
and NSPT20 contour lines are similar to the spatial distribution
of 200  m/s and 300  m/s VS contour lines, respectively. For
−10-m height, this relation is more diffuse, but it is still possi-
ble to see a slight relation between 400  m/s VS and NSPT50
contour lines. In general, it is possible to say that, for these
three horizontal sections, the areas with NSPT values equal to
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
H/V and ReMi techniques 304
Figure 6 Flow from high to low
grid nodes of (a) NSPT + 10-m
height; (b) NSPT 0-m height; (c)
NSPT –10-m height; (d) VS
+10-m height; (e) VS 0-m height;
(f) VS –10-m height.
or lower than 20 may correspond to VS values equal to or less
than 300 m/s. In addition, the areas with NSPT values equal to
or higher than 50 and VS values equal to or higher than 400 m/s
seem to be similar.
Flows from high to low grid values (Figures 6(a–f)) allowed
us to conclude the following: (i) height +10-m horizontal sec-
tions (Figure  6(a,d)) show a central area with the same spatial
distribution aligned with a N–S water stream; (ii) height 0-m
horizontal sections present high spatial similarities (Figures
6(b,e)). The east–southeast area is an exception with different
flow patterns, probably due to the absence of geotechnical infor-
mation; (iii) height −10-m horizontal sections (Figures 6(c,f))
show the lowest spatial similarities. Nevertheless, this section
presents three areas with similar flow patterns. Scatter plots
show low correlation coefficients for linear fits: (i) +10-m hori-
zontal sections with 0.4 R2 (Figure 7a); (ii) 0-m horizontal sec-
tions with 0.3 R2 (Figure 7b). However, it is possible to observe
that the dispersion is larger for higher NSPT values. The −10-m
horizontal sections present an even larger dispersive pattern
(Figure 7c).
305 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano
In Figure  8, mean VS30 values, thickness of shallow forma-
tions and NSPT60 spatial distributions both obtained with geo-
technical data (boreholes), are displayed. Those distributions
show a fair spatial relation: lower VS30 values are present in areas
with greater thickness of shallow formations and deeper NSPT60.
In general, it is possible to observe that (i) the areas with VS30 less
than 340  m/s correspond to shallow formations thicknesses
larger than 10 m and (ii) the zones where NSPT60 is reached at
14-m depth present VS30 < 360m/s. VS30 and thicknesses of shal-
low formations show a significant area with the same flow pat-
tern, with an ENE–WSW orientation (Figure  8(d,e)). VS30 and
NSPT60 depth show a more restricted area with similar spatial
distribution located in the eastern area of Barreiro (Figures
8(d,f)). Scatter plots show very low correlation coefficients (R2)
for linear fits: (i) 0.3 for VS30 and thicknesses of shallow forma-
tions (Figure 9a) and (ii) 0.4 for VS30 and NSPT60 (Figure 9b).
Numerical correlations between VS30 values and the thickness
of the shallow formations and NSPT60 depth are presented in
Figure 10. Only boreholes located at less than 300 m from ReMi
central point were used in these calculations. The first relation
shows that, as expected, for an increase in the thickness of shal-
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
Figure 7 Correlation between grids
for: (a) NSPT + 10 m and VS + 10-m
height; (b) NSPT 0m and VS 0-m
height; (c) NSPT –10 m and VS –10-m
height.
low formations (h), there is a decrease in VS30 values (Figure 10a).
Testing an exponential relation to fit the experimental data, the
best solution is obtained by the following equation (equa-
tion (4)):
VS30 = 400 e−0.023h.(4)
Likewise, VS30 values decrease with the increasing depth where
NSPT60 was reached. However, in this case, a linear fit satisfies
the experimental data better (Figure 10b).
The thickness of the shallow formations can be estimated using
a relation of the form of equation (2). Several authors derived
parameters a and b for this equation using data from different geo-
logical environments (e.g., Ibs-von Seth and Wohlenberg 1999;
Parolai, Bormann and Milkereit 2002; Ozalaybey et al. 2011; Roux
et al. 2012). Vicêncio (2017) tested these relations for the thickness
of the Holocene in Barreiro and found that the most appropriate
was the relation presented by Parolai, Bormann and Milkereit
(2002) (equation (5)):
H = 108 F0−1.551.(5)
 H/V and ReMi techniques 306

The thickness of the Holocene shallow formations from H/V
peak frequencies (F0 and F1) were estimated using equation (5)
(Figure 11). Comparing the thickness of the shallow formations
with VS30 distribution (Figure  8a), it is possible to observe that
lower VS30 values and greater thickness of shallow formations
(lower peak frequencies) are well related.
Figure 12 shows two relations for the VS30 values (obtained
with ReMi tests) and the H/V curves obtained by Vicêncio,
Teves-Costa and Sá Caetano(2015) on the Holocene forma-
tions in Barreiro: the first relates VS30 values with H/V peak
frequencies (Figure  12a) and the second with the respective
H/V peak amplitudes (Figure 12b). Only H/V results obtained
in sites located at less than 300  m from ReMi central points
were used. Regarding peak frequencies, it is possible to verify
that (i) values higher than 6  Hz correspond, to VS30 values
higher than 360 m/s (Soil Type B from EC8) and values lower
than 6 Hz correspond, with only one exception, to VS30 values
lower than 360 m/s (Soil Type C from EC8).
Despite the small correlation coefficient, it is still possible to
observe a linear tendency between the VS30 and the H/V peak
frequencies. So, it is possible to roughly estimate VS30 values for
the Holocene shallow formations in Barreiro from the H/V peak
frequencies (FP) associated with the contrast between the
Holocene and the Pliocene, using the obtained relationship
(equation (6)), as follows:
VS30 = 21.5 FP + 239.8. (6)
Due to the high dispersive pattern exhibited by the relation
between VS30 and H/V peak amplitudes, it is not advisable to
use the derived relation to estimate VS30 values. However, in
general, highest peak amplitudes correspond to higher VS30
values.
From all Remi tests VS30 values were also computed using an
automatic inversion procedure (without initial model). The differ-
ences between the VS30 values obtained through manual and auto-
matic inversions allow to conclude that, (i) for 67.7% of the sites
(n = 23 tests), the differences were lower than 25  m/s; (ii) for
11.8% (n = 4), the differences were between 25 m/s and 50 m/s;
(iii) for 20.5% (n = 7), the differences were greater than 50 m/s.

Figure 8 Spatial distributions of

(a) VS30 (m/s) values computed
from Remi VS profiles; (b) thick-
ness (m) of the shallow forma-
tions estimated from geotechnical
boreholes; (c) NSPT60 depth (m)
derived from borehole logs;
(d) flow from low to high grid
nodes of VS30 (m/s); (e) flow from
high to low grid nodes of the
thickness (m) of the shallow for-
mations; (f) flow from high to
low grid nodes of NSPT60 depth
(m).

© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
307 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano
These results suggest that, in about 80% of the sites, VS30 presents
a stable value and can be estimated with a good approximation.
The H/V curves obtained by Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá
Caetano (2015) allowed identifying three zones with H/V peak
amplitudes greater than 2 that can be prone to seismic amplifica-
tion: zones A, B, and C (Figure  13). Natural frequency of soils
ranges between 5 Hz and 8.1 Hz in zone A, between 2.5 Hz and
4.7 Hz in zone B, and between 2.2 Hz and 5.3 Hz in zone C. Using
equation (3) (from Oliveira and Navarro 2010), it is possible to
estimate the natural frequency of buildings from their heights or
number of floors. For instance, buildings with three to four floors
will exhibit natural frequencies between 7.4 Hz and 5.5 Hz. This
means that these buildings may suffer resonance effects in zone A
(VS30 values between 360 m/s and 460 m/s were obtained in this
zone). Buildings with five to nine floors will exhibit natural fre-
quencies between 4.4  Hz and 2.5  Hz and may suffer resonance
effects in zones B and C (in those two zones, VS30 presented values
lower than 320 m/s).
Zone B has one hazardous industry (covered by the III Seveso
Directive) located on Holocene terrains (Figure 13, number 1),
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
Figure 9 Correlation between
grids for VS30 (m/s) and (a) thick-
ness (m) of the shallow forma-
tions; (b) NSPT60 depth (m).
Figure 10 Correlations between
VS30 (m/s) and: (a) of shallow
formation’s thickness (m) esti-
mated from geotechnical bore-
holes; (b) NSPT60 depth (m) esti-
mated from borehole logs.
where the natural frequencies range is between 3.4  Hz and
3.5 Hz. Applying equation (3) and considering that each build-
ing’s floor has a 3-m average height, we can conclude that struc-
tures/buildings with 18-m height can suffer resonance phenom-
ena in this zone. However, we do not know if the natural frequen-
cies of industrial structures fit equation (3), which was derived
for ordinary buildings.
Another hazardous industry is located on Holocene terrains
but in an area where it was not possible to perform neither
ReMi nor H/V tests (Figure 13, number 2). Nevertheless, val-
ues obtained from boreholes showed that the thickness of the
shallow formations at this site varies between 10 m and 12 m.
Using the derived relation VS30-thickness of shallow formations
(equation (4)), VS30 values would range from 313 to 299  m/s.
Using now the VS30-H/V peak relation (equation (6)) and the
former estimated VS30 values, the natural frequency of the soil
at this location will range between 2 Hz and 3 Hz. Consequently,
structures/buildings between 21 m and 28 m may undergo reso-
nance phenomena in this area (of course, this is only a rough
estimation).

A third factory is located on Pliocene terrains, near the boundary
with the Holocene (Figure 13, number 3). In this area, it was not
possible to perform H/V tests, but several ReMi tests were carried
out nearby. The F0 spatial distribution computed by Vicêncio, Teves-
Costa and Sá Caetano (2015) allowed the estimation of natural fre-
quencies higher than 5 Hz for this site. Using the Vs30–H/V correla-
tion (equation (6)) and VS30 values computed from ReMi tests per-
formed in the area around the industry, which range between
340 m/s and 360 m/s (Figure 8a), the natural frequency estimated
for the soil will be between 5 Hz and 6 Hz. These results indicate
that structures/buildings between 10  m and 13  m could undergo
resonance phenomena. However, the soil frequencies and the natu-
ral frequencies of the industrial structures must be confirmed using
ambient vibration tests or some other adequate method.
DISCUSSION
Different VS profiles were obtained in the studied area sampling
different geological formations dependent on their location.
Figure 11 The thickness (m) of the shallow formation computed from
H/V peak frequencies using Parolai, Bormann and Milkereit (2002) rela-
tion (adapted from Vicêncio, Teves-Costa and Sá Caetano (2015).
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
H/V and ReMi techniques 308
Some VS profiles show two different types of velocity inversions
(A and B) (Figure  3(a,b)), probably due to the variation of the
material’s rigidity with depth. Similar inversions were obtained
in Brazil by Gandolfo (2011) and Barros, Gandolfo and Rocha
(2012) in studies where VS profiles were computed using the
MASW method. These authors concluded that those inversions,
which are very similar to the Type A inversions in Barreiro, were
associated with very compact artificial layers (landfills) over
natural formations.
Type A VS inversions were observed mainly in the former
industrial area (see Figure 2c for location), where landfills have
great development. These units are made up of very heterogene-
ous materials that rapidly vary from site to site and can include
structural reinforcements and compacted materials (Geocontrole
1982). In this region, landfills consist mainly of sandy soils
dredged from the Tagus River. However, materials resulting from
clearing, lithic fragments, pyrite slags, and phosphogypsum
materials up to 7  m thick may also be present (Geocontrole
1982). These characteristics should be responsible for the Type
A velocity inversions in Barreiro.
Type B inversions can be present in Holocene and Plio-
Pleistocene formations. The variable hydrodynamic conditions
that ruled the alluvial deposition, together with irregularities of
the substratum, have probably originated an irregular geometry
and irregular granulometric composition of those materials
(Geocontrole 1982). Plio-Pleistocene sandy formations may
show granulometric variations, which may include pockets of
clay and sandy material. These variations may be responsible for
Type B inversions observed in the Holocene and Plio-Pleistocene
units. Santisteban et al. (2012) and Odum et al. (2013) obtained
similar inversions associated to alternations of sand, clay, and
landfills in Spain and Puerto Rico, respectively.
ReMi results and geotechnical soil properties showed similar
spatial distributions. For example, when the Pliocene top is deeper
(meaning thicker superficial formations), this corresponds, in gen-
eral, to lower VS30 values. Nevertheless, some differences between
those distributions were identified. The Pliocene top in this region
Figure 12 Plots of the mean VS30
(m/s) obtained for the Barreiro’s
Holocene formations versus the
peak values of the H/V curves
obtained by Vicêncio, Teves-
Costa and Sá Caetano (2015):
(a) peak frequencies; (b) corre-
sponding amplitudes. A linear fit
is presented. The horizontal lines
are the velocity boundary
between B and C soil classifica-
tion (EC8).
309 H. Vicêncio, P. Teves-Costa and P. Sá Caetano
Figure 13 Areas prone to seismic amplification (A, B, C). H/V peak
frequencies, inside these areas, are also presented. Base map is the sur-
face geology superimposed over the aerial image (Google Earth 2014).
was eroded 18,000 years ago, when the sea level was 120 m below
present (Dias, Rodrigues and Magalhães 1997). This process may
have originated substratum irregularities (on the Pliocene), which
explain the variations in its elevation. These variations and the fact
that ReMi and borehole tests were often performed at different
sites may explain the differences observed in geotechnical and
ReMi data spatial distributions.
VS and NSPT variations computed for three horizontal eleva-
tions (−10 m, 0 m, and +10 m) showed a good spatial relation.
Both values increase with depth and show similar spatial distri-
bution: lower values in the Holocene and higher values in the
Plio-Pleistocene. Directional analysis allowed concluding that
0-m and +10-m elevations showed stronger spatial relations than
−10 m elevation.
The obtained differences on VS30 values computed through
automatic or manual inversions indicate that the estimation of
this parameter must be very robust giving a very approximate
value in about 80% of the cases. However, for about 20% of the
cases, VS30 can attribute a wrong soil classification. Computing
VS30 values only through manual inversion the differences
between the obtained values are very small with about 90% of
the cases presenting differences lower than 25 m/s.
The distribution of VS30 values also showed a good relation-
ship with the thickness of shallow formations and with NSPT60.
The lowest VS30 values were located in areas with thicker shallow
formations and deeper NSPT60; smaller thickness of superficial
formations and shallower NSPT60 areas (in Plio-Pleistocene)
showed highest VS30 values. These results are similar to those
obtained in Ljubljana (Slovenia) by Rošer and Gosar (2010),
who computed VS30 values using extended SPAC (Okada 2003)
and ReMi methods. They achieved a good spatial distribution
between VS30 and geology: lower VS30 values were present in soft
© 2018 European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, Near Surface Geophysics, 2018, 16, 298-312
lacustrine and fluvial Quaternary sediments; higher VS30 values
were associated to more rigid material (Pleistocene and Holocene
glacial–fluvial deposits).
The relationship obtained between VS30 values and H/V peak
frequencies in Barreiro (equation (6)) is similar to those obtained
by McNamara et al. (2014) (VS30  =  51.90  H/V  +  254.3) and
Stephenson et al. (2015) (VS30 = 59.6 H/V + 199).
According to some authors, VS30 values correlate well with
local amplifications (e.g., Mucciarelli and Gallipoli 2006; Odum
et al. 2013). The VS30 and the H/V amplitudes correlation in
Barreiro (VS30  =  39.0  H/V  +  253.9) is similar to the results
obtained by Mucciarelli and Gallipoli (2006) for average ampli-
tudes: Soil Type B (EC8 classification) in Barreiro presented,
except for one situation, amplitudes larger than 3 (Figure  12b)
and Mucciarelli and Gallipoli (2006) obtained average ampli-
tudes between 3.41 and 3.65; Soil Type C in Barreiro presented
amplitudes below 3, and Mucciarelli and Gallipoli (2006)
obtained amplitudes between 2.67 and 2.92. These results indi-
cate that, despite the inexistence of a linear fit, it is still possible
to assign the soil classification with a reasonable approximation.
The numerical correlations achieved between VS30 values,
thickness of shallow formations, and NSPT60 depth (determined
from logs located at less than 300 m from ReMi central point)
(Figure 10) are in agreement with the spatial relations found for
these properties (Figure 8). The Vs30-NSPT60 coefficient correla-
tion (R2 = 0.8) was higher than the VS30-thickness of shallow
formations coefficient correlation (R2 = 0.6).
Table 1 presents VS values obtained by several authors using
different techniques for landfills, alluvium, and Pliocene units in
Portugal and other countries. In general, we can verify that, with
only few exceptions, VS values in Barreiro are similar to those
obtained by other authors (Gandolfo 2011; Carvalho et al. 2016).
The maximum Pliocene VS value obtained in this study is
higher than the results obtained by other authors (e.g., LNEC
2006; Carvalho 2013). This is probably due to the fact that, at
larger depths, it is possible to find materials with higher rigidity
and velocity. In some cases, the VS profiles obtained with ReMi
tests reached 40-m depth, which is larger than the depths inves-
tigated in the other two mentioned studies (20 m).
CONCLUSION
The fact that ReMi results (VS profiles and VS30 values) are in line
with geotechnical data (thickness of shallow formations, NSPT60)
and H/V curves (frequencies and amplitudes) gives confidence to
the estimations obtained with this method. However, the use of
an initial model (based on geology and geotechnical properties)
is recommended for robustness of result.. But in general, land-
fills, alluvium, and Pliocene shear-wave velocities were similar
to the ones obtained by other authors.
This study also demonstrates the usefulness of the ReMi
method to undertake and complement geotechnical and site
effect studies in urban areas. This approach enables obtaining a
large amount of VS profiles and to compute VS30 values in a short
 H/V and ReMi techniques 310

Table 1 VS values obtained by several authors using different techniques for landfills, alluvium, and Pliocene formations.
Units VS (m/s) Techniques Places References
Landfill 120–225 ReMi Barreiro (1) This study
Landfill 200–254 ReMi Spain Santisteban et al. (2012)
Landfill 172 ReMi Porto Rico Odum et al. (2013)
Landfill 2 149–633 ReMi Barreiro (1) This study
Landfill 2 220–470 MASW Brasil Gandolfo (2011)
Alluvium 115–335 ReMi Barreiro (1) This study
Alluvium 450–590 ReMi Cascais (1) Carvalho et al. (2016)
Alluvium 184–239 ReMi Porto Rico Odum et al. (2013)
Alluvium 51–348 Cross-hole Sacavém (1) Oliveira et al. (1997)
Alluvium 150–240 Cross-hole Down Town Lisbon (1) LNEC (1998)
Alluvium 100–230 SASW Lower Tagus Valley (1) Lopes (2005)
Alluvium 140–290 Cross-hole Lisbon (1) Freitas et al. (2014)
Alluvium 206–436 (2) Portugal Mainland (1) Silva et al. (2015)
Pliocene 215–1196 ReMi Barreiro (1) This study
Pliocene 160–516 Cross-hole Mitrena-Setúbal (1) LNEC (2006)
Pliocene 218–349 Refraction Setúbal (1) Carvalho (2013)

(1) = sites in Portugal.

(2) = VS values estimated using geological and topographic properties.

time, allowing a more detailed EC8 site/soil classification. The
EC8 constitutes the standard for seismic-resistant design in
Europe, and it adopts the average shear-wave velocity in the first
30 m (VS30) for site classification. The distribution map of VS30
values for Barreiro highlights that the Plio-Pleistocene areas
have the best ground conditions corresponding to EC8 Soil Type
B. However, within this unit, a small area is found that presents
lower velocities (between 340 m/s and 355 m/s), falling into Soil
Type C. Most Holocene areas belong to EC8 Soil Type C, show
lower VS30 velocities (230–290  m/s), and present the worst
ground conditions. The VS30 distribution map for Barreiro can be
used for the urban planning of the new development areas that
are intended to be constructed in the near future.
The understanding of the relation between H/V peak frequen-
cies and geological or geotechnical boundaries (e.g., between
shallow formations and substratum) allows establishing a corre-
lation between peak frequencies (F0, F1) and VS30 values.
Three areas prone to seismic amplification were identified, as
well as buildings that may undergo resonance phenomena. These
preliminary results can be used (i) for urban planning in order to
avoid the overlap of natural frequencies of soils and buildings and
(ii) to identify existing buildings that may undergo resonance
effects. This identification can be used to reinforce the buildings
(and/or changing their natural frequencies), to prepare the response
to earthquakes, and to inform residents on the risk to which they
are subject to, as well as on the behaviour they must adopt both
before and during an earthquake. This will contribute to decrease
the seismic vulnerability and to increase the population resilience.
Finally, to confirm the characteristics of areas prone to seis-
mic amplification, it is essential to carry out additional studies.
For instance, it will be suitable to perform 1D ground response
analysis to estimate the natural frequencies and amplification
factors of the different soil types. Besides, it is necessary to
undertake studies on the seismic behaviour of the existing
buildings, including the determination of their natural frequen-
cies, not only common residential buildings but also industrial
structures.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the colleagues who helped during the
field work: Afonso Loureiro, Andrés Gago, Carlos Graça, Inês
Bruno, Joana Carvalho, João Bonacho, João Brissos, Luísa
Rodrigues, Mónica Cabral, and Pedro Rodrigues. Thanks are
also due to the Barreiro Volunteer Fire Fighters and the Barreiro
Municipal Civil Protection Service for all the support provided
during the field work.
The authors would like to thank Daniel Vendas and all com-
panies that provided geological and geotechnical data. Finally,
the authors specially thank the two anonymous reviewers whose
questions and comments helped to improve this paper.
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